Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Mehmet Özhaseki spoke at the signing ceremony of the protocol for the construction of 300 permanent houses in the earthquake zone by Galatasaray Sports Club. Minister Özhaseki said, “Galatasaray Sports Club is leading a good work. I also hope that it will come back.” said. Pointing out that the majority of buildings in Turkey were built before 1999, Minister Özhaseki said, "Even if these buildings were built in accordance with the old legislation, they are structures that cannot withstand earthquakes." he said.
A cooperation protocol was signed between Galatasaray Sports Club and the Mass Housing Administration (TOKİ) regarding the construction of 300 permanent houses in the earthquake zone. Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Mehmet Özhaseki, Galatasaray Sports Club President Dursun Özbek and TOKİ President Ömer Bulut attended the signing ceremony.
Underlining that Turkey is an earthquake country, Minister Mehmet Özhaseki reminded that two very severe earthquakes occurred 6 hours apart on February 9 and said, “I always say this with sadness; Türkiye is an earthquake country. The number of earthquakes with a magnitude of 100 or above that occurred in our lands in the last 6 years is 231. We need to know this and act accordingly. Especially after the 1999 earthquake, thanks to our friends, they made serious changes in the construction regulations and legislation of this field. After that date, we can consider all buildings built in accordance with the legislation as sound. But we know that the majority of the building stock in Turkey was built in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s and that they cannot withstand these earthquakes even if they were built in accordance with the old legislation. "When this happens, our hearts are in our mouths with every earthquake." he said.
“WE SHOULD MAKE OUR BUILDING STOCK HEALTHY THROUGH URBAN TRANSFORMATION”
Stating that the building stock in the country should be made safe and healthy through urban transformations, Minister Özhaseki said, “Even when an earthquake occurs, we stand still. Hopefully we will continue our lives comfortably. "We will never again bury our lives and our loved ones and hit our knees." he said.
“WE WILL DELIVER OUR 46 THOUSAND HOUSES THIS MONTH”
Stating that there were 850 thousand independent units that needed to be converted in the last earthquake, Minister Özhaseki said, “680 thousand of these are residences and 170 thousand are workplaces. It's not easy to handle it. But as a state, we showed a great reflex. In the first days, we started construction on treasury lands, on solid ground. Currently, around 250 thousand houses are under construction in those regions. We are in a position to deliver some of these constructions. “Hopefully, we will deliver 46 thousand houses this month.” he said.
“WE WILL BE SEEING LIFE REVIVING IN THE REGION IN 2-3 YEARS”
Reminding that village houses are made of steel, Minister Özhaseki said, “We are currently working on our village houses, which will be built on steel frames, for which nearly 51 thousand tenders have been prepared. We want to deliver every job we have started by completing the tender within 1 year and have our citizens live in their safe homes. Within 2-3 years, we will be able to see life revived in those regions, people living together, trade continuing, and children playing on the streets, as if there had never been an earthquake. “All our energy is on this.” he said.
“IT WILL BE NAMED GALATASARAY NEIGHBORHOOD”
Stating that philanthropists also contributed to the earthquake zone, Minister Mehmet Özhaseki said, “Our valuable Galatasaray Sports Club President Dursun Özbek was the first among our sports clubs to come forward on this issue. He offered it himself. We went and laid the foundation together in that area. We started a business in 3 of our cities. A beauty has been revealed in this regard. Competition has increased recently, today we are on a day of sharing. For this, I would like to thank my esteemed President and the Galatasaray community. A good work is being pioneered, and I hope it will follow suit. In the first stage, we will build 100 houses in Adıyaman, 100 in Kahramanmaraş and 100 in Hatay on behalf of Galatasaray. We will name the neighborhood as 'Galatasaray Neighborhood' as a gesture.” said.
GALATASARAY PRESIDENT ÖZBEK: OTHER CLUBS, COME AND TAKE YOUR HAND IN THIS JOB
Stating that the February 6 earthquakes damaged approximately 15 percent of the country, Galatasaray President Dursun Özbek said, “This is a big figure. It is not easy for states to handle this burden. As Galatasaray Sports Club, we have not hesitated since the first day that we should also contribute. I would like to emphasize that, as our Minister stated, it is a great necessity for charitable citizens to intervene in this issue. There is a need for construction of nearly 850 thousand residences and workplaces. Therefore, in order for the work to be done faster, institutions and organizations like us need to intervene in this work. This would be a great race. That's why I'm making my open call to other clubs from here; Come and take part in this work. This work becomes extremely enjoyable when everyone does it together. "Let's open the doors together and go to the region together." he said.
Following the speeches, a cooperation protocol was signed between Galatasaray Sports Club and TOKİ regarding the construction of 300 permanent houses in the earthquake zone. After taking a photo with the representative check of 50 million liras donated by Galatasaray Sports Club, President Özbek presented Minister Özhaseki with a plaque containing the Galatasaray jersey number 38 and the miniature of the outer gate of Galatasaray High School.